2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, and opinions on its design had softened over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, they became more accepted after seven years. The Cherokee's proportions improved, making it look better than when it first arrived. The exterior appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident, with the Cherokee offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. Unlike the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers, the ID.4 featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed to the corners of the body. It was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. The ID.4's design aimed to appeal to the U.S. market, where crossovers were more popular than hatchbacks. However, its SUV-like styling was less pronounced compared to traditional SUVs. The interior design blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic elements. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available in higher trims, delivered 271 horsepower. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration. The V6 engine achieved a 0-60 mph time of about 7.2 seconds, while the turbo-four did it in approximately 7.4 seconds. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-efficient option. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first RWD Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sporty performance, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many electric cars, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving. Instead, it relied on friction brakes, with a "B" mode for added regen. This approach aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee in Jeep's lineup. It competed with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, the Cherokee fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with variations depending on the trim level. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim had perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt like a crossover compared to other EVs but not gasoline models. It offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, although legroom was average for the segment. The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 provided more rear headroom and legroom in both rows, but the ID.4 had more front headroom. The ID.4 offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, and Chevy Bolt EUV but less than the CR-V and RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk (frunk), prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious from the driver's seat, with good forward visibility but subpar rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console. However, the console was narrow and close to the floor, limiting storage for larger items. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating in cold weather.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, which was highly regarded for its user-friendly interface. The system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude Lux trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the Limited and Trailhawk trims. Both screen sizes offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, though only wired. The Cherokee also provided a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, a convenient feature for various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, offering a familiar experience for users.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 12-inch screen. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced nearly all switchgear. While the setup looked modern, it was challenging to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The control setup required drivers to relearn simple tasks, such as adjusting mirrors and lowering rear windows. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system, responding to the prompt "Hello ID." However, it was slow to respond. The ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield, communicated information to the driver but was easy to overlook. Despite these quirks, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. However, it received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others rated "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. The AWD model had not been tested by the NHTSA. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control, performing well on highways. Emergency Assist was designed to bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated.